Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Review/Giveaway: Rain Dance

A WINNING READINGS GIVEAWAY!

Title: Rain Dance
Author: Joy DeKok
Genre: Christian fiction
How to enter: Leave a comment on THIS post right here! If you're a subscriber or a follower (either here or at Mozi Esmé), leave a second comment for a second entry.
Entry deadline: December 25, 2009
Restrictions: Open internationally

That's right, enter right here for this giveaway. Please note: we are giving away our review copy, so it has been gently read.

As the mom-blog world mourns two-year-old Bryson Ross's death today, I'm reminded of what an awesome privilege and gift it is to be a mother.

Joy DeKok, in her book Rain Dance, adds some depth to understanding that gift.
---------------
Rain Dance is a 348-page contemporary Christian women's fiction book published by Sheaf House, with a list price of $12.99. To find out more, check out raindancebook.com.

In addition to coaching other authors, author Joy DeKok has written several children's books, fulfilling a dream of hers that began when she was four. She and her husband enjoy the kids in their lives by spending time riding on their Jon Deere Gator, walking in the woods, or sitting down by the bullfrog bog watching the dragonflies and red-winged blackbirds who live in their cattail patch. Joy also reads to kids who visit, fixes root beer floats, and listens to their dreams.

Here's the publisher's summary of Rain Dance: "Jonica and Staci meet in a doctor's office at a critical turning point in each of their lives. Jonica is ending unsuccessful infertility treatments and accepting the death of her dream of having children. Staci is scheduling the termination of her pregnancy so she can further her dream of a career in law. As the two young women tentatively reach out to each other, they forge a most unlikely friendship that will forever transform their future."

My Review

This is a pro-life book, but it is so much more than that. It touches on so many issues, not just the ethics of abortion and fertility treatments. It deals with the value of life, Christian judgmentalism, women's lib, empty politics, postpartum depression, family relationships, and the role of husbands and wives. It touches on Down syndrome, of particular interest to me because I work with people who have disabilities.

Ultimately, this is a story of unfathomable grace and mercy. There is no judgment to be found here, and I can honestly recommend the book to any reader of any background.

The author writes in first person and switches between the two women's perspectives throughout the book to provide an easy-to-follow and well-balanced view of the storyline.

In a way, Jonica's story is author Joy's story, and you can sense the connection with the writer in the book. I can truly empathize better now with those dealing with infertility. And I'm reminded to treasure each moment I have with my little girl - to love those rain dances...

And what's amazing is that Joy is able to write a book that presents not only her side, but the side of the woman who has voluntarily terminated her pregnancy, with empathy and understanding.

The powerfully-moving story ends with a dance in God's cleansing rain as the characters celebrate His mercy and love.

Thanks to Pump Up Your Book Promotion for the review copy of this book.

70 comments:

FlyFreeMyBooks said...

Please enter me.
ludeluh at yahoo dot com

FlyFreeMyBooks said...

I am also a follower.
ludeluh at yahoo dot com

Michelle said...

This is a new to me author. Looks like a great read. Please enter my name.
Thanks

moma3homeschoolatgmaildotcom

Michelle said...

I am a follower

moma3homeschoolatgmaildotcom

Jan said...

This story sounds very good, I would love to read it. Please count me in.

alongtheway(at)telus(dot)net

Jan said...

I am a follower.

alongtheway(at)telus(dot)net

Lady Araujo said...

I'd love to read this book.
Thanks for this giveaway.
marthanadnny(at)hotmail(dot)com

Lady Araujo said...

I follow you.
marthanadnny(at)hotmail(dot)com
Feliz Natal antecipado =o)

Anonymous said...

Please enter me. Looks like an interesting book and something I'd like.

ebeandebe at gmail dot com

Ticia said...

I'd love to read this.

Milka said...

Please enter me!

milkavainamo[at]lyseo[dot]edu[dot]ouka[dot]fi

Milka said...

I am a follower. :)

Simply Stacie said...

Please count me in.

simplystacieblog at gmail dot com

Simply Stacie said...

I follow.

simplystacieblog at gmail dot com

Annette W. said...

I think this would help me deal with my sister's and friend's infertility...as well as understand those who have given up a child to abortion.

george ferris said...

This should prove interesting to read.
george ferris
littlegeorgie56@yahoo.com

The Book Chick said...

This one sounds like it would stay with you long after you've read the last page! Your review made me all the more thankful for my three healthy little boys. Please enter me to win!

jonitathebookchick(at)gmail(dot)com

The Book Chick said...

I'm a brand new follower of this blog!

jonitathebookchick(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

please count me in...thanks

karenk
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

i'm a subscriber :)

karenk
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com

Cheryl B said...

Count me in!
cln1812@gmail.com

Cheryl B said...

email subscriber:
cln1812@gmail.com

Cheryl B said...

I follow your blog.
cln1812@gmail.com

wmmahaney said...

Having gone through infertility treatments this sounds like an interesting book.
wmmahaney(at)att(dot)net

wmmahaney said...

I follow in Google Reader
wmmahaney(at)att(dot)net

Andrea Schultz said...

Jane -

This sound great! Please throw my name in the mix!

Blessings -

Andrea

andrealschultz[at]gmail[dot]com

Andrea Schultz said...

Hi Jane -

I follow in Google Reader.

Thanks - Andrea

andrealschultz[at]gmail[dot]com

Nancye said...

I went through fertility myself and I can relate. I would like to win this book.

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

I am a follower

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

E-mail subscriber

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nicole C. said...

I would love to read this book!!

choateorama(at)gmail(dot)com

IceJewel said...

Please enter me, icejew at gmail dot com

IceJewel said...

I'm a follower.
Thanks for the contest :)

Mary said...

It sounds very compelling. I'd love to read it.

mamie316(at)sbcglobal(dot)net

deb c said...

I've never read this author. But your description sounds like it's going to have me crying during it.

linett said...

would love to read this, thanks

mverno said...

i could read this mverno@roadrunner.com

A said...

Sounds good! Plus it's winter break and I need a good book to read!

A said...

Email subscriber

mindy said...

this sounds great thanks minsthins at optonline dot net

Anonymous said...

HORTON111@AOL.COM....HERE'S HOPING IF I DON'T WIN THE OTHER ONE...I WIN THIS ONE

desiree kelley said...

love to read it

george ferris said...

I would like to read this.
george ferris
littlegeorgie56@yahoo.com

george ferris said...

I am an e-mail subscriber.
george ferris
littlegeorgie56@yahoo.com

Melissa said...

I think this would be a wonderful book to read!

melissamcnicol(at)yahoo(dot)com

demmi said...

please enter me in the book giveaway
con5459(at)gmail(dot)com

Brittany S. said...

This book looks like a pretty interesting read-would love to enter for the chance to win this:)

sweetheartofpinkperfection7@yahoo.com

McKim said...

The book sounds like one that would touch your heart.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a great story!
shawnac68@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

Merry Christmas!

theyyyguy@yahoo.com

SeahorseLady said...

This sounds like a very moving book that I would like to read. I'm sure that a few tears would stain the pages but that's when I know I really have a good book.

erma said...

This sounds good.
erma.hurtt@sbcglobal.net

LifeLongLearner said...

Interesting book---count me in for a free copy


mjantzi@rockingham.k12.va.us

Hotsnotty2 said...

I'd love to read this, thanks for the chance!

Hotsnotty2@hotmail.com

Tammy said...

ounds like a interesting book

Liz Mays said...

Thank you. I would enjoy this book!
doot65[at]comcast{dot}net

Liz Mays said...

I'm a follower!
doot65[at]comcast{dot}net

ydsddd said...

Happy Holiday to all! Stay healthy and safe

Maja said...

count me in

Maja said...

follower

Anonymous said...

Enter me please

jim.coyne2@verizon.net

packerfantimmy said...

This sounds like a great book for my wife to read.
titletowntreasures(AT)yahoo(DOT)com

packerfantimmy said...

google friend follower-packerfantimmy
titletowntreasures(AT)yahoo(DOT)com

Kathy P said...

Thank you for the AWESOME GIVEAWAY.. Please count me in :)

Kathy P said...

following your blog as klp1965

Nancy S. said...

I would like to read this.
ncschools at yahoo dot com

Nancy S. said...

I follow with google friend.

Unknown said...

I would love to win this very interesting book. garrettsambo@aol.com

lilyk said...

Please enter me into the contest. Thanks!

lilyk said...

I subscribed to your blog.